“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-5

True Comfort

A few nights ago, my son could not find his favorite blanky. He has several soft blankets, but only one is faded and uniquely loved enough to be “Blanky.” When I finally did find Blanky in an unexpected place, my son and I were both relieved. I knew that without Blanky, my son would have fallen asleep only after he had cried himself to exhaustion. His little body would not be truly at rest until he had the one and only Blanky.  

As I think about my son and his blanky, I am reminded that nothing truly comforts our souls except Jesus. Anything else will leave our souls fitful and more acutely longing.

I believe that Jesus truly wants to comfort us and wants us to experience the only true comfort for our souls.  

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

I have felt this myself. When my heart is broken, He literally feels close to me. On my best days, I find rest in that. On my worst days, I panic and try to comfort myself with things that will numb the pain, but never actually comfort my soul. Things that ultimately leave me fat, lazy, addicted and distracted. Are those “things” to which I run for comfort actually getting between my broken heart and Jesus? I think so. He never left me, but if I choose to put a false blanket between His nearness and my hurt, it’s that much harder to feel Him.  

Now I am not saying that you should not take a pill if you have a headache, or talk to a friend and pray and cry with her. God often uses these things to comfort and heal us. But that is different than just covering up the wound. I can cover a wound by overeating, overspending, or any distraction that keeps me from engaging in the life and ministry God has given me.  

I pray that as my son grows, he will learn run to Jesus for comfort the way he now runs to Blanky. A child will outgrow a physical blanket. But as God’s dearly beloved children, may we never think we can outgrow HIM.

“Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your divine comfort, that we can offer other people the comfort we have received from You. For You are the the only true relief for what aches within our souls. Thank You that You are always near, and that You never leave or forsake us. Teach us to rest in You. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.”